For the life of me, I don't know how people can predict that the Poms won't win a Test. Even during the 1990's, they always managed to jag a Test somewhere. This is an infinitely better team than any of those sides.

For the life of me, I don't know how people can predict that the Poms won't win a Test. Even during the 1990's, they always managed to jag a Test somewhere. This is an infinitely better team than any of those sides.

It's not that crazy. I think since the 96/97 series against WI (almost ten years), Australia have only lost around 3 tests in total in our own backyard. Granted, a couple of those were to England, but we have been near impregnable at home in recent seasons, much more so than in the 90's.

Australia's bowling stocks are much improved since the last Ashes, and it's hardly a full strength English side, either.

"Youre known for having a liking for men who look like women."
- Linda

"FFS I'm sick and tired of having to see a bloke bend over to pick something up or lean over and see their arse crack. For christ's sake pull your pants up or buy some underpants you bogan because nobody want's to see it. And this is a boat building shed (well one of them) not a porn studio."
- Craig

^ with the exception of the '03 India series, heh heh... But even then, when I felt we were dominated, they only walked away with one test. It's just been very hard for the opposition to win tests in Australia for quite some time now.

But how often does the Ashes end with a side winning no Tests? I could be wrong but I don't think it's happened since 89, and with the quality we have in our side, there's no way we'll go home empty handed.

But how often does the Ashes end with a side winning no Tests? I could be wrong but I don't think it's happened since 89, and with the quality we have in our side, there's no way we'll go home empty handed.

To be honest, I hope they don't, because I'd much rather see an exciting series than a walkover. The conservative pick is probably 3-1, but I think 3-zip is a genuine possibility. FWIW, I picked 2-1 (Aus) last Ashes, but I was fairly nervous from the outset. It feels quite different this time around.

Score: 3-2 Australia
Top Runscorer: Gilly
Top Wicket Taker: Collingwood
Most catches (wk excluded): Hayden
Biggest surprise: Gillespie, will come back strong and take 20+ wickets with a ton to boot
England's Biggest Suprise: Collingwood, A Triple will make him the talk of the Country along with 30 wickets
Biggest disappointment: Clark, He'd conceed 150+ with no wickets
England's Biggest Disapointment: Flintoff, only one half ton and 3 wickets@104
Man of the series: Collingwood

For the life of me, I don't know how people can predict that the Poms won't win a Test. Even during the 1990's, they always managed to jag a Test somewhere. This is an infinitely better team than any of those sides.

England missing players

+

Australia wanting to belt England into an oblivion more than ever

=

Possibility that England may not win a test. How often to Australia lose a test at home anyway? Not too often.

"I am very happy and it will allow me to have lot more rice."

Eoin Morgan on being given a rice cooker for being Man of the Match in a Dhaka Premier Division game.